Dying Manson follower Atkins denied parole

SHARON TATE-LABIANCA KILLINGS

Linda Deutsch, Associated Press

Published 4:00 am, Friday, September 4, 2009

Photo: Ben Margot, AP

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*** CORRECTS SOURCE TO POOL *** Convicted murderer and former Charles Manson family member, Susan Atkins, center, is seen in a moveable bed beside her husband and attorney James Whitehouse, right, as she recites the 23 Psalm as her statement during her parole hearing Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009, at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, Calif. Atkins was again denied parole, remaining the longest-incarcerated female inmate in the California penal system. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, POOL) less

*** CORRECTS SOURCE TO POOL *** Convicted murderer and former Charles Manson family member, Susan Atkins, center, is seen in a moveable bed beside her husband and attorney James Whitehouse, right, as she ... more

Photo: Ben Margot, AP

Dying Manson follower Atkins denied parole

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Susan Atkins, the terminally ill Charles Manson follower who admitted stabbing actress Sharon Tate 40 years ago, lost what was likely to be her last bid for freedom Wednesday.

Atkins, who suffers from brain cancer, slept through most of the four-hour hearing during which her husband-lawyer pleaded for her release and families of victims of the Sharon Tate-Labianca killings urged that she be kept behind bars until she dies.

In a dramatic moment - one of the few in which Atkins opened her eyes - Atkins' husband, James Whitehouse, led her through a recitation of the 23rd Psalm, with Atkins concluding in a strong voice, "My God is an amazing God."

Debra Tate, sister of the actress who was 8 1/2 months pregnant when she was killed, told the parole commissioners that she would have a 40-year-old nephew if her sister had lived. She said of Atkins, "I will pray for her soul when she draws her last breath, but until then I think she should remain in this controlled situation."

Another of the speakers was Anthony DiMaria, a nephew of the slain Jay Sebring, who said that the trips to the parole hearing for his family members "send us back to hell year after year."

"I'm not here for Susan Atkins," he said. "I'm here for Jay Sebring. The only hatred I feel is for the crime."

Parole Commissioner Tim O'Hara said that he and the other commissioner who presided over the hearing, Jan Enloe, based their decision heavily on the "atrocious nature" of the 1969 killings and said that Atkins never fully understood the magnitude of her crimes.

Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Pat Sequeira recounted the crimes in great detail and said: "As sad as Miss Atkins looks today, it pales against the crime scene photos. These were brutal, horrible crimes."

Atkins, 61, had been expected to die of brain cancer over a year ago but continues to cling to life. She also had a leg amputated from cancer-related health issues.

She was denied compassionate release in July 2008 after she was diagnosed and given only months to live. Wednesday's hearing at the Central California Women's Facility at Chowchilla was one of her required periodic parole hearings as a life prisoner. She was convicted of the seven Tate-LaBianca murders, one of the most notorious mass murders in California history.

The gruesome murders that made the Manson cult infamous were discovered on Aug. 9, 1969, when a maid ran screaming from the home shared by Tate and her husband, director Roman Polanski.

Five people were killed in a ritualistic manner, including Tate, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, and celebrity hairdresser Jay Sebring. Two others were killed at another home. Polanski was not at home at the time of the slayings.

Atkins admitted stabbing Tate to death as Tate begged for her life and that of her unborn son. Atkins claimed she and other cult followers acted on orders from Manson and were on LSD.

O'Hara said Atkins would be not be eligible for parole for another three years.